29 Worst Lipstick Shades

May 27, 2024 article Comments (0)

Listen, I’ve been there. You’re standing in the makeup aisle, overwhelmed by the sea of lipstick shades. You spot a color that looks stunning in the tube, only to get home and realize it’s a total disaster on your lips. Trust me, we’ve all fallen victim to the worst lipstick shades at some point.

But fear not, my fellow beauty enthusiasts! I’m here to dish on the 29 worst lipstick shades that you need to avoid like the plague. From neon nightmares to muddy messes, I’ve got the lowdown on the colors that’ll make you cringe.

So, grab a seat and get ready to take notes. Your lips (and your dignity) will thank you later!

29 Worst Lipstick Shades to Avoid

Listen up, ladies. As a self-proclaimed lipstick junkie, I’ve tried every color under the sun. And let me tell you, not all lip colors are created equal. Some are downright disastrous.

Unflattering Undertones

First up on my list of the worst lipstick shades? Those with unflattering undertones. I’m talking about muddy browns, chalky lavenders, and pastel grays that make your lips look like they belong on a corpse. Trust me, these shades will do nothing for your complexion.

Patchy Formulas

Next, let’s talk about patchy formulas. There’s nothing worse than a bold lip that applies streaky and settles into every crack and crevice. Matte black and white lipsticks are often the biggest offenders here.

Bleeding and Feathering

And don’t even get me started on lipsticks that bleed and feather outside your lip line. Neon pinks, oranges, and reds are notorious for migrating all over your face. Not a cute look, ladies.

Overly Drying Lipsticks

Finally, we have the overly drying lipsticks that make your pout look like a shriveled up raisin. Frosty metallic shades in blue, green, and purple are often the culprits. Stick to a creamy, moisturizing formula instead.

1. Neon Orange

Speaking of the worst drugstore lipstick shades, neon orange tops my list. This fluorescent hue is nearly impossible to pull off and often applies patchy and streaky. Plus, it settles into every fine line and crack. Not a good look.

2. Muddy Brown

Muddy brown is another shade that should be avoided at all costs. This unflattering hue makes your lips look dirty and can highlight any dryness or flakiness. Opt for a warmer, chocolate brown instead.

3. Pale Lilac

Pale lilac may look pretty in the tube, but on the lips? Not so much. This cool-toned shade washes out most complexions and can make your teeth look yellow. Revolution makes some of the worst offenders in this category.

4. Frosty White

Frosty white is a shade that should be left in the ’80s. This icy hue settles into every crack and crevice, making your lips look dry and wrinkled. Even luxury brands like Tom Ford can’t seem to get this one right.

5. Bright Yellow

Bright yellow is a shade that very few can pull off. This neon hue is often patchy and streaky, and can make your teeth look discolored. Urban Decay makes some of the worst yellow lipsticks out there.

6. Glittery Green

Glittery green lipstick looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. This chunky, metallic shade feels gritty on the lips and applies unevenly. Save the green glitter for your eyeshadow palette instead.

7. Metallic Blue

Metallic blue is another shade that belongs in an eyeshadow palette, not on your lips. This frosty hue is extremely drying and unflattering on most skin tones. Even Tarte can’t seem to make this one work.

8. Neon Pink

Neon pink may be fun for a night out, but for everyday wear? Not so much. This fluorescent shade is often streaky and drying, and can bleed outside your lip line. Sailor Moon makes some of the worst offenders.

9. Pastel Gray

Pastel gray is a shade that should be avoided at all costs. This cool-toned hue makes your lips look corpse-like and can highlight any dryness or flakiness. Even luxury brands like Tom Ford Beauty can’t seem to make this one work.

10. Chalky Lavender

Chalky lavender is another shade that looks lovely in the tube but ghastly on the lips. This cool-toned hue settles into every fine line and crack, making your lips look dry and wrinkled. The Sailor Moon Ultra Lip Duo contains one of the worst lavender lipsticks I’ve ever tried.

11. Shimmery Red

Shimmery red may seem like a fun twist on a classic, but trust me, it’s not. The chunky glitter particles feel gritty on the lips and have no staying power. Stick to a classic cream formula instead.

12. Matte Black

Matte black is a shade that very few can pull off. This bold hue often applies patchy and streaky, and can make your lips look smaller. It’s a daring choice, but not one I recommend for everyday wear.

13. Glittery Teal

Glittery teal is another shade that belongs in an eyeshadow palette, not on your lips. This chunky, metallic hue feels uncomfortable on the lips and looks garish in daylight. Even high-end brands like YSL can’t seem to make their Eye Color Quad lipsticks work.

14. Bright Coral

Bright coral may seem like a fun, summery shade, but it’s often difficult to pull off. This neon hue requires a perfectly even application and can be drying on the lips. Rimmel’s lip duos in this shade are some of the worst offenders.

15. Neon Green

Neon green is a shade that should never be worn on the lips. This sickly hue looks toxic and applies patchy and streaky. Even Urban Decay’s Shadow Stix in this shade are a hard pass.

16. Frosty Pink

Frosty pink is a shade that can look dated and unflattering on most skin tones. This icy hue settles into fine lines and can make your lips look dry and wrinkled. Even luxury brands like Yves Saint Laurent can’t seem to make their Couture Eyeshadow Palette lipsticks work.

17. Metallic Orange

Metallic orange is a shade that looks garish and feels uncomfortable on the lips. This frosty hue applies unevenly and can highlight any dryness or flakiness. Celestial Powers makes some of the worst metallic orange lipsticks out there.

18. Pastel Yellow

Pastel yellow is a shade that very few can pull off. This pale hue often washes out the complexion and applies patchy and streaky. The Sailor Moon Ultra Lip Duo in this shade is a prime example of how wrong this color can go.

19. Glittery Purple

Glittery purple is another shade that belongs in an eyeshadow palette, not on your lips. This chunky, metallic hue feels gritty and uncomfortable, and the glitter particles have no staying power. Urban Decay’s Midnight Hour collection has some of the worst offenders.

20. Bright Blue

Bright blue is a shade that very few can pull off, even on the runway. This primary color is often patchy and streaky, and can make your teeth look discolored. Urban Decay makes some of the worst blue lipsticks out there.

21. Neon Red

Neon red may seem like a fun twist on a classic, but it’s often difficult to wear. This fluorescent hue can bleed and feather, and often requires a liner to keep it in place. Tarte’s Rose Tease collection has some of the worst neon red lipsticks I’ve tried.

22. Muddy Mauve

Muddy mauve is a shade that looks like cement on the lips. This cool-toned hue is unflattering on most skin tones and can settle into fine lines and cracks. Many liquid lipstick formulas in this shade are particularly bad.

23. Frosty Lavender

Frosty lavender is another shade that can look dated and unflattering. This icy hue settles into fine lines and can make your lips look dry and wrinkled. Revolution makes some of the worst frosty lavender lipsticks out there.

24. Metallic Green

Metallic green is a shade that looks artificial and feels uncomfortable on the lips. This frosty hue applies patchy and unevenly, and can highlight any dryness or flakiness. Save this shade for your eyeshadow palette instead.

25. Chalky Coral

Chalky coral is a shade that can wash out the complexion and settle into fine lines. This pale hue often applies streaky and unevenly, and can highlight any dryness or flakiness. Tarte makes some of the worst chalky coral lipsticks out there.

26. Shimmery Brown

Shimmery brown may seem like a wearable twist on a classic, but it often applies patchy and feels gritty on the lips. The chunky shimmer particles have no staying power and can migrate outside your lip line. Even luxury brands like Tom Ford can’t seem to get this one right.

27. Matte White

Matte white is a shade that very few can pull off, even on the runway. This stark hue often applies streaky and flakes off throughout the day. It’s a bold choice, but not one I recommend for everyday wear.

28. Neon Yellow

Neon yellow is a shade that should be avoided at all costs. This fluorescent hue looks sickly and applies patchy and streaky. Even Urban Decay can’t seem to make this one work.

29. Glittery Orange

Last but not least, we have glittery orange. This chunky, metallic shade feels gritty and uncomfortable on the lips, and the glitter particles have no staying power. Celestial Powers makes some of the worst offenders in this category. So there you have it, ladies. The 29 worst lipstick shades to avoid at all costs. Stick to flattering undertones, creamy formulas, and classic colors instead. Your lips will thank you.

Key Takeaway:

Ditch the disaster shades. Steer clear of neon, frosty, and patchy lipsticks. Opt for flattering undertones and creamy formulas instead. Your smile will shine without those 29 no-go’s.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it – the 29 worst lipstick shades that you should avoid at all costs. From the neon disasters to the chalky catastrophes, these colors are the stuff of makeup nightmares.

But hey, don’t let this list discourage you from experimenting with lip colors. There are plenty of stunning shades out there that’ll make your pout look fabulous. Just remember to steer clear of these 29 worst lipstick shades, and you’ll be well on your way to lip color perfection.

So, pucker up and get ready to rock some seriously gorgeous lipstick. With this list in mind, you’ll be able to navigate the makeup aisle with confidence and find the shades that make you feel like a total bombshell.